Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 3 (1897).djvu/487

OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 465 prediction. The Visigoths, who had been thrown into con- fusion by the flight, or defection, of the Alani, gradually restored their order of battle ; and the Huns were undoubtedly van- quished, since Attila was compelled to retreat. He had ex- posed his person with the rashness of a private soldier ; but the intrepid ti'oops of the centre had pushed forwards beyond the rest of the line ; their attack was faintly supported ; their flanks were unguarded ; and the conquerors of Scythia and Germany were saved by the approach of the night from a total defeat. They retired within the circle of waggons that fortified their camp ; and the dismounted squadrons prepared themselves for a defence, to which neither their arms nor their temper were adapted. The event was doubtful ; but Attila had secured a last and honourable resource. The saddles and rich furniture of the cavalry were collected by his order into a funeral pile ; and the magnanimous Barbarian had resolved, if his intrenchments should be forced, to rush headlong into the flames, and to deprive his enemies of the glory which they might have acquired by the death or captivity of Attila.'**' But his enemies had passed the night in equal disorder and Retreat of anxiety. The inconsiderate courage of Torismond was tempted to urge the pursuit, till he unexpectedly found himself, with a few followers, in the midst of the Scythian waggons. In the confusion of a nocturnal combat, he was thrown from his horse ; and the Gothic prince must have perished like his father, if his youthful strength, and the intrepid zeal of his companions, had not rescued him from this dangerous situation. In the same manner, but on the left of the line, Aetius himself, separated from his allies, ignorant of their victory, and anxious for their fate, encountered and escaped the hostile troops that were scattered over the plains of Chalons ; and at length reached the camp of the Goths, which he could only fortify with a slight rampart of shields, till the dawn of day. The Imperial general was soon satisfied of the defeat of Attila, who still remained inactive within his intrenchments ; and, when he contemplated the bloody scene, he observed, with secret satisfaction, that the loss had principally fallen on the Barbarians. The body of Theodoric, pierced with honourable wounds, was discovered under a heap of the slain : his subjects bewailed the death of •ifiThe Count de Buat (Hist, des Peuples, &c. torn. vii. p. 554-573). still depending on the/alse, and again rejecting the ime, Idatius, has divided the defeat of Attila into two great battles : the former near Orleans, the latter in Champagne : in the one, Theodoric was slain ; in the other, he was revenged. VOL. III. 30